DC boosting circuit with at least one energy storage element

ABSTRACT

A DC boosting circuit includes switch connected to a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit includes first and second elements, and the second circuit includes the second element and a third element. The first and second elements store energy based on an input voltage when the switch is in a first state. The third element stores energy from the second element when the switch is in the second state. The second circuit outputs a voltage greater than the input voltage, and the first, second, and third elements are reactors or capacitors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-225521, filed on Nov. 5, 2014, andKorean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0110202, filed on Aug. 4, 2015,and entitled, “DC Boosting Circuit,” are incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more embodiments described herein relate to a DC boostingcircuit.

2. Description of the Related Art

One type of DC boosting circuit (called a boosting chopper circuit)includes a switching element, a diode, and a reactor. Presently, theswitching element and diode are designed to have a high-voltage currentcapacity with a high boosting ratio. This may present problems in termsof size and cost for some applications.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a DC boosting circuitincludes a first switch having a first end connected to a first node; afirst diode has a first end connected to the first node and a second endconnected to a second node; a first reactor having a first end connectedto the first node and a second end connected to a DC power supply; afirst capacitor having a first end connected to the second end of thefirst switch and a second end connected to the second node; a seconddiode having a first end connected to the second node and a second endconnected to a third node; a third diode having a first end connected tothe third node; and a second capacitor having a first end connected tothe first node and a second end connected to the third node.

The boosting circuit may include a second switch connected in parallelto the first diode; a third switch connected in parallel to the seconddiode; and a fourth switch connected in parallel to the third diode. Theboosting circuit may include a second reactor between the first end ofthe first reactor and the first end of the second capacitor. The firstand second reactors may be wound around a same iron core.

The boosting circuit may include a plurality of DC boosting circuitsthat share the first capacitor. The DC boosting circuits may be operatedin an interleaving mode. The boosting circuit may include a plurality ofDC boosting circuits that share the first capacitor and the secondreactor.

In accordance with one or more other embodiments, a boosting circuitincludes a first circuit including first element and a second element; asecond circuit including the second element and a third element; and aswitch connected to the first circuit and the second circuit, whereinthe first element and the second element are to store energy based on aninput voltage when the switch is in a first state and the third elementis to store energy from the second element when the switch is in thesecond state, wherein the second circuit is to output a voltage greaterthan the input voltage and wherein each of the first element, the secondelement, and the third element is a reactor or a capacitor.

The boosting circuit may include a fourth element in the first andsecond circuits, wherein the fourth element is to store energy from thefirst element when the switch is in the second state and wherein thefourth element is a capacitor or reactor. The second element may storeenergy from the fourth element when the switch is in the first state andmay store energy from the first element when the switch is in the secondstate. The second element may store energy from the first element andthe fourth element when the switch is in the second state. The thirdelement may store energy from the second element when the switch is inthe second state.

The voltage output from the second circuit may be based on a sum of theenergy from the first element and the energy from the fourth elementstored in the third element. The switch may be connected to the firstelement, the second element, the third element, and the fourth element.The boosting circuit may include a fifth element to store energy fromthe fourth element when the switch is in the first state, wherein thefifth element is a reactor or a capacitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features will become apparent to those of skill in the art by describingin detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a DC boosting circuit;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an example of a boosting operation;

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit;

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit;

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit;

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another example of a boosting operation;

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an example of a regeneration operation;

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit;

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit;

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit;

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit;

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit;

FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit; and

FIG. 16 illustrates another type of DC boosting circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied indifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art. Theembodiments may be combined to form additional embodiments.

It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred toas being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on theother layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present.Further, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being“under” another layer, it can be directly under, and one or moreintervening layers may also be present. In addition, it will also beunderstood that when a layer is referred to as being “between” twolayers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or moreintervening layers may also be present. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout.

When an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” toanother element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the anotherelement or be indirectly connected or coupled to the another elementwith one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. Inaddition, when an element is referred to as “including” a component,this indicates that the element may further include another componentinstead of excluding another component unless there is differentdisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a DC boosting circuit 1 which isconnected in parallel between a DC power supply 2 and a load 3. The DCboosting circuit 1 includes a first arm pair 11, a second arm pair 12, areactor 13, and capacitors 14, 15, and 16. The first arm pair 11includes a semiconductor switch element 112 (first semiconductor switchelement) and a diode 111 (first diode). The semiconductor switch element112 includes a switch element 112_1 and a diode 112_2. For example, theswitch element 112_1 may be a bipolar transistor, aMetal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET), an InsulatedGate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), or the like.

The switch element 112_1 is connected in parallel to the diode 112_2.The switch element 112_1 has one end connected to an anode of the diode111 and another end connected to a negative terminal of the DC powersupply 2. For example, the switch element 112_1 has one end that servesas a drain, another end that serves as a source, and a control terminalthat serves as a gate.

The diode 111 has an anode connected to the switch element 112_1 and acathode connected to one end of the capacitor 14.

The second arm pair 12 includes a diode 121 (third diode) and a diode122 (second diode). The diode 122 has an anode connected to the cathodeof the diode 111 and a cathode connected to an anode of the diode 121.Accordingly, the second arm pair 12 includes a series circuit of thediodes 121 and 122. The diode 121 has a cathode connected to one end ofthe capacitor 16.

The reactor 13 (first reactor) has one end connected to a positiveterminal of the DC power supply 2 and another end connected to a node ofthe first arm pair 11. The node of the first arm pair 11 is a node ofthe anode of the diode 111 and one end of the semiconductor switchelement 112 (diode 112_2).

The capacitor 14 (first capacitor) is connected in parallel to the firstarm pair 11. For example, the capacitor 14 has one end connected to thecathode of the diode 111 and another end connected to one end of theswitch element 112_1 and the negative terminal of the DC power supply 2.

The capacitor 15 (second capacitor) has one end connected to a node ofthe second arm pair 12 and another end connected to the node of thefirst arm pair 11. The node of the second arm pair 12 is a node of theanode of the diode 121 and the cathode of the diode 122.

The capacitor 16 is connected in parallel to the load 3. The capacitor16 has one end connected to the cathode of the diode 121 and another endconnected to the other end of the switch element 112_1 and the negativeterminal of the DC power supply 2.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an example of a boosting operation of the DCboosting circuit 1. In this example, an output voltage of the DC powersupply 2 is represented by V_(i).

FIG. 2A illustrates a current path of the DC boosting circuit 1 when theswitch element 112_1 is in an ON state. As shown in FIG. 2A, when theswitch element 112_1 is in the ON state, a current I_(i) supplied by theDC power supply 2 flows along a path 200 including the DC power supply2, the reactor 13, the switch element 112_1, and the DC power supply 2.In this case, energy is accumulated in the reactor 13.

When the switch element 112_1 is turned on, energy accumulated in thecapacitor 14 is partially released along a path 201 including thecapacitor 14, the diode 122, the capacitor 15, the switch element 112_1,and the capacitor 14. Therefore, when the switch element 112_1 is turnedon, the capacitor 15 is charged by the energy accumulated in thecapacitor 14 and has the same electrical potential as the capacitor 14.

FIG. 2B illustrates a current path of the DC boosting circuit 1 when theswitch element 112_1 is in the OFF state. As shown in FIG. 2B, when theswitch element 112_1 is turned off, a current I_(i) flowing in thereactor 13 flows along a path 202 including the reactor 13, the diode111, the capacitor 14, the DC power supply 2, and reactor 13. As aresult, the capacitor 14 is charged to a voltage V₁ that is higher thanthe voltage V_(i) of the DC power supply 2, by action of the voltageV_(i) of the DC power supply 2 and the energy accumulated in the reactor13.

Also, when the switch element 112_1 is in the OFF state, current flowingthrough the reactor 13 flows along a path 203 including the reactor 13,the capacitor 15, the diode 121, the capacitor 16, the DC power supply2, and the reactor 13. Therefore, the capacitor 16 is charged to avoltage V₂ that is higher than the voltage V₁, by action of the voltageV_(i) of the DC power supply 2, the accumulated energy of the reactor13, and charged energy of the capacitor 15. As such, the load 3 may besupplied with a stable high (boosted) voltage by repeating ON and OFFstates of the switch element 112_1 with a predetermined time ratio. Thevoltage V₂ of capacitor 16 will now be described.

Voltages of the capacitor 14 and the capacitor 15 vary depending on theconductance (e.g., a duty ratio) of the switch element 112_1. In oneembodiment, conductance of the switch element 112_1 may correspond to aratio of time in the ON state over one period of the ON and OFF states.

When the conductance of the switch element 112_1 is 0.5 (e.g., a PWMsignal with a duty ratio of 50% is supplied to the control terminal(gate) of the switch element 112_1), each voltage of the capacitor 14and the capacitor 15 is about twice as much as the voltage V₁ of the DCpower supply 2. Accordingly, since the voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16 isa serially added voltage of the voltages of the capacitor 14 and thecapacitor 15, the voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16 is about 4 times higherthan the voltage V_(i) of the DC power supply 2.

In this case, withstand voltages for the diode 111 and the semiconductorswitch element 112 constituting the first arm pair 11 are the voltage V₁of the capacitor 14 that is about half of the voltage V₂ of thecapacitor 16, e.g., the output voltage of the DC boosting circuit 1.

As described above, the DC boosting circuit 1 according to the presentexemplary embodiment serves to boost the voltage of the DC power supply2, by switching of the switch element 112_1, in order to generate aboosted output voltage.

The DC boosting circuit 1 includes the first arm pair 11, the reactor13, the capacitor 14, the second arm pair 12, and the capacitor 15. Thefirst arm pair 11 includes the switch element 112_1, and the diode 111connected at the anode thereof to one end of the switch element 112_1(hereinafter referred to as being de-serially connected).

The reactor 13 has one end connected to the node of the first arm pair11 and another end connected to the DC power supply 2. The capacitor 14is connected in parallel to the first arm pair 11. The second arm pair12 includes a series circuit of the diode 121 and the diode 122connected in series to one end of the first arm pair 11. The capacitor15 is connected between the node of the first arm pair 11 and the nodeof the second arm pair 12. Accordingly, a voltage applied to the firstarm pair 11 and the second arm pair 12 may be determined as the voltageV₂ of the capacitor 16 that is lower than the output voltage of the DCboosting circuit 1.

Therefore, it may be advantageous that the load of a semiconductor(e.g., a switch element, a diode, or the like) is reduced and an elementhaving a low current capacity and a low withstand voltage may beemployed. As a result, downsizing, weight saving, and cost reducing of adevice having a high boosting ratio may be achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of the FET increases exponentially as a withstand voltagethereof increases. Thus, power consumption of the FET increases as itswithstand voltage increases. Accordingly, leakage current of the DCboosting circuit is limited. Therefore, in the present exemplaryembodiment, a semiconductor switch element having a low ON resistancemay be employed.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit 1A whichincludes a reactor 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the DC boosting circuit 1A isconnected in parallel between the DC power supply 2 and the load 3. TheDC boosting circuit 1A includes the first arm pair 11, the second armpair 12, the reactor 13, the capacitors 14, 15, and 16, and the reactor17.

The reactor 17 (second reactor) has one end connected to the other endof the capacitor 15 and another end connected to the node of the firstarm pair 11. When the switch element 112_1 is in an ON state, thereactor 17 suppresses an inrush current occurring when the capacitor 15is charged by accumulated energy of the capacitor 14.

When the switch element 112_1 is in the ON state, the reactor 17, thecapacitor 14, and the capacitor 15 constitute an LC series resonancecircuit, using a path 201A (including the capacitor 14, the diode 122,the capacitor 15, the reactor 17, the switch element 112_1, and thecapacitor 14) through which the accumulated energy of the capacitor 14is released to charge the capacitor 15. Therefore, by appropriatelyselecting the resonance frequency of the LC series resonance circuit, areverse recovery operation of the diode 122 may be avoided.

As described above, the DC boosting circuit 1A according to the presentexemplary embodiment serves to boost the voltage of the DC power supply2, by switching the switch element 112_1, in order to generate a boostedoutput voltage.

The DC boosting circuit 1A includes the first arm pair 11, the reactor13, the capacitor 14, the second arm pair 12, the capacitor 15, and thereactor 17. The first arm pair 11 includes the switch element 112_1 andthe diode 111 de-serially connected to one end of the switch element112_1. The reactor 13 has one end connected to the node of the first armpair 11 and another end connected to the DC power supply 2. Thecapacitor 14 is connected in parallel to the first arm pair 11.

The second arm pair 12 includes a series circuit of the diode 121 andthe diode 122 connected in series to one end of the first arm pair 11.The capacitor 15 is connected between the node of the first arm pair 11and the node of the second arm pair 12. The reactor 17 has one endconnected to the other end of the capacitor 15 and another end connectedto the node of the first arm pair 11.

Accordingly, a voltage applied to the first arm pair 11 and the secondarm pair 12 may be determined as the voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16,that is lower than an output voltage of the DC boosting circuit 1A.Therefore, it may be advantageous that the load of a semiconductor(e.g., a switch element, a diode, or the like) is reduced and an elementhaving a low current capacity and a low withstand voltage may beemployed. As a result, downsizing, weight saving, and cost reducing of adevice having a high boosting ratio may be achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of a FET increases exponentially as its withstand voltageincreases. Thus, as the withstand voltage increases, power consumptionof the FET problematically increases. Therefore, in the presentexemplary embodiment, a semiconductor switch element having a low ONresistance may be employed.

Further, by action of the reactor 17, the DC boosting circuit 1Aaccording to the present exemplary embodiment may suppress an inrushcurrent that may occur when the capacitor 15 is charged by accumulatedenergy of the capacitor 14, and may also prevent a reverse recoveryoperation of the diode 122.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment a DC boosting circuit 1B which hasthe reactor 17 at a different location. The DC boosting circuit 1Bincludes the reactor 17 connected to the node of the cathode of thediode 111, one end of the capacitor 14, and the anode of the diode 122.

As shown in FIG. 4, the DC boosting circuit 1B is connected in parallelbetween the DC power supply 2 and the load 3. The DC boosting circuit 1Bincludes the first arm pair 11, the second arm pair 12, the reactor 13,the capacitors 14, 15, and 16, and the reactor 17. The first arm pair 11includes the semiconductor switch element 112 and the diode 111. Thediode 111 has anode connected to one end of the switch element 112_1 anda cathode connected to one end of the capacitor 14 and the other end ofreactor 17.

The second arm pair 12 includes the diodes 121 and 122. The diode 122has an anode connected to one end of the reactor 17 and a cathodeconnected to the anode of the diode 121. Therefore, the second arm pair12 includes a series circuit of the diodes 121 and 122.

The cathode of the diode 121 is connected to one end of the capacitor16. The reactor 17 has one end connected to the anode of the diode 122and another end thereof connected to the cathode of the diode 111 andthe capacitor 14.

When the switch element 112_1 is in an ON state, the reactor 17suppresses an inrush current occurring when the capacitor 15 is chargedby accumulated energy of the capacitor 14. Further, when the switchelement 112_1 is in the ON state, the reactor 17, the capacitor 14, andthe capacitor 15 constitute an LC series resonance circuit using a path201B (including the capacitor 14, the reactor 17, the diode 122, thecapacitor 15, the switch element 112_1, and the capacitor 14) throughwhich the accumulated energy of the capacitor 14 is released to chargethe capacitor 15.

Therefore, by appropriately selecting a resonance frequency of the LCseries resonance circuit, a reverse recovery operation of the diode 122may be avoided.

As described above, the DC boosting circuit 1B serves to boost thevoltage of the DC power supply 2, by a switching of the switch element112_1, in order to generate a boosted output voltage. The DC boostingcircuit 1B includes the first arm pair 11, the reactor 13, the capacitor14, the second arm pair 12, the capacitor 15, and the reactor 17.

The first arm pair 11 includes the switch element 112_1 and the diode111 de-serially connected to one end of the switch element 112_1. Thereactor 13 has one end connected to the node of the first arm pair 11and another end connected to the DC power supply 2.

The capacitor 14 is connected in parallel to the first arm pair 11. Thesecond arm pair 12 includes a series circuit of the diode 121 and thediode 122 connected in series to one end of the first arm pair 11.

The capacitor 15 is connected between the node of the first arm pair 11and the node of the second arm pair 12. The reactor 17 has one endconnected to the anode of the diode 122 and another end connected to thecathode of the diode 111 and capacitor 14.

Accordingly, a voltage applied to the first arm pair 11 and the secondarm pair 12 may be determined as the voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16,that is lower than an output voltage of the DC boosting circuit 1B.Therefore, it may be advantageous that the load of a semiconductor(e.g., a switch element, a diode, or the like) is reduced, and anelement having a low current capacity and a low withstand voltage may beemployed. As a result, downsizing, weight saving, and cost reducing of adevice having a high boosting ratio may be achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of a FET increases exponentially as its withstand voltageincreases. Thus, power consumption of a FET itself increases as itswithstand voltage increases. Accordingly, leakage current of a DCboosting circuit is limited. Therefore, in the present exemplaryembodiment, a semiconductor switch element having a low ON resistancemay be employed.

Further, by action of the reactor 17, the DC boosting circuit 1Baccording to the present exemplary embodiment may suppress an inrushcurrent occurring when the capacitor 15 is charged by accumulated energyof the capacitor 14, and may prevent a reverse recovery operation of thediode 122.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit 1C wherethe reactor 17 is in a different location. The DC boosting circuit 1Cincludes the reactor 17 interposed between the cathode of the diode 111and one end of the capacitor 14. As shown in FIG. 5, the DC boostingcircuit 1C is connected in parallel between the DC power supply 2 andthe load 3.

The DC boosting circuit 1C includes the first arm pair 11, the secondarm pair 12, the reactor 13, the capacitors 14, 15, and 16, and thereactor 17. The reactor 17 has one end connected to the cathode of thediode 111 and the anode of the diode 122 and another end connected toone end of the capacitor 14.

The capacitor 14 has one end connected to the other end of the switchelement 112_1 and the negative terminal of the DC power supply 2. Whenthe switch element 112_1 is in an ON state, the reactor 17 suppresses aninrush current occurring when the capacitor 15 is charged by accumulatedenergy of the capacitor 14.

Further, when the switch element 112_1 is in the ON state, the reactor17, the capacitor 14, and the capacitor 15 constitute an LC seriesresonance circuit, using a path 201C (including the capacitor 14, thereactor 17, the diode 122, the capacitor 15, the switch element 112_1,and the capacitor 14) through which the accumulated energy of thecapacitor 14 is released to charge the capacitor 15.

Therefore, by appropriately selecting a resonance frequency of the LCseries resonance circuit, a reverse recovery operation of the diode 122may be avoided.

As described above, the DC boosting circuit 1C according to the presentexemplary embodiment serves to boost the voltage of the DC power supply2, by a switching of the switch element 112_1, in order to generate aboosted output voltage.

The DC boosting circuit 1C includes the first arm pair 11, the reactor13, the capacitor 14, the second arm pair 12, the capacitor 15, and thereactor 17. The first arm pair 11 includes the switch element 112_1 andthe diode 111 de-serially connected to one end of the switch element112_1.

The reactor 13 has one terminal connected to the node of the first armpair 11 and another terminal connected to the DC power supply 2. Thecapacitor 14 is connected in parallel to the first arm pair 11.

The second arm pair 12 includes a series circuit of the diode 121 andthe diode 122 connected in series to one end of the first arm pair 11.The capacitor 15 is connected between the node of the first arm pair 11and the node of the second arm pair 12. The reactor 17 has one endconnected to the cathode of the diode 111 and the anode of the diode 122and another end connected to one end of the capacitor 14.

Accordingly, a voltage applied to the first arm pair 11 and the secondarm pair 12 may be determined as the voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16,that is lower than an output voltage of the DC boosting circuit 1C.Therefore, it may be advantageous that the load of a semiconductor(e.g., a switch element, a diode, or the like) is reduced, and anelement having a low current capacity and a low withstand voltage may beemployed. As a result, downsizing, weight saving, and cost reducing of adevice having a high boosting ratio may be achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of a FET increases exponentially as its withstand voltageincreases. Thus, power consumption of a FET itself increases as itswithstand voltage increases. Accordingly, a leakage current of a DCboosting circuit is limited. Therefore, in the present exemplaryembodiment, a semiconductor switch element having a low ON resistancemay be employed.

Further, by action of the reactor 17, the DC boosting circuit 1Caccording to the present exemplary embodiment may suppress an inrushcurrent occurring when the capacitor 15 is charged by accumulated energyof the capacitor 14, and may prevent a reverse recovery operation of thediode 122.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit 1D whichincludes a reactor 13D and a reactor 131D, instead of the reactor 13 andthe reactor 17. As shown in FIG. 6, the DC boosting circuit 1D isconnected in parallel between the DC power supply 2 and the load 3.

The DC boosting circuit 1D includes the first arm pair 11, the secondarm pair 12, the reactor 13D, and the capacitors 14, 15, and 16. Asdescribed above, the reactor 13D includes the reactor 130D and thereactor 131D. The reactor 13D includes the reactor 130D and the reactor131D that share the same iron core therethrough. For example, thereactor 13D may be configured by winding the reactor 130D and thereactor 131D around the same iron core, and magnetically coupling thereactors 130D and 131D to each other.

The reactor 130D has one end connected to the positive terminal of theDC power supply 2 and another end connected to one end of the reactor131D. The reactor 131D is connected at its other end to the other end ofthe capacitor 15. Further, a node of the reactor 130D and the reactor131D is connected to the node of the first arm pair 11.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B illustrate an example of a boosting operation of theDC boosting circuit 1D. Herein, an output voltage of the DC power supply2 is represented by V_(i).

FIG. 7A illustrates a current path of the DC boosting circuit 1D whenthe switch element 112_1 is in the ON state. As shown in FIG. 7A, whenthe switch element 112_1 is turned on, a current I_(i) supplied by theDC power supply 2 flows along a path 200D including the DC power supply2, the reactor 130D, the switch element 112_1, and the DC power supply2.

In this case, the reactor 130D is excited to accumulate the excitedenergy therein and to generate an induced voltage therein. By action ofthe induced voltage and the voltage of the capacitor 14, a current flowsalong a path 201D including the capacitor 14, the diode 122, thecapacitor 15, the reactor 131D, the switch element 112_1, and thecapacitor 14. Further, the capacitor 15 is charged to an added voltageof the induced voltage and the voltage of the capacitor 14.

Accordingly, when the conductance of the switch element 112_1 is thesame as in one or more previous embodiments, the DC boosting circuit 1Dis charged to as high as a voltage depending on a ratio of the inducedvoltage of the reactor 131D to the capacitor 15. Next, a boostingoperation of the DC boosting circuit 1D, when the switch element 112_1is in an OFF state, will be described.

FIG. 7B illustrate a current path of the DC boosting circuit 1D when theswitch element 112_1 is in the OFF state. As shown in FIG. 7B, when theswitch element 112_1 is turned off, a current flowing in the reactor130D flows along a path 202D including the reactor 130D, the diode 111,the capacitor 14, the DC power supply 2, and the reactor 130D.

In this case, by action of the voltage V_(i) of the DC power supply 2and the excited energy accumulated in the reactor 130D, the capacitor 14is charged to a voltage V₁ that is higher than the voltage V_(i) of theDC power supply 2.

The excited energy of the reactor 130D also flows along a path 203Dincluding the reactors 130D and 131D, the capacitor 15, the diode 121,the capacitor 16, the DC power supply 2, and the reactor 130D.Accordingly, by action of the energies of the DC power supply 2, thereactor 13D, and the capacitor 15, the capacitor 16 is charged to avoltage V₂ that is obtained by adding the voltage of the capacitor 14and the voltage of the capacitor 15.

As such, by repeating ON and OFF states of the switch element 112_1 witha predetermined time ratio, the load 3 may be supplied with a stablehigh voltage V₂. The voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16 will now bedescribed.

Voltages of the capacitors 14 and 15 vary depending on the conductance(e.g., a duty ratio) of the switch element 112_1. Further, the voltageof the capacitor 15 varies depending on a winding ratio of the reactor130D and the reactor 131D. For example, when the conductance is 0.5 andthe winding ratio of the reactor 130D and the reactor 131D is 1:1, thevoltage of the capacitor 14 is about 2 times higher than the voltage ofthe DC power supply 2. Meanwhile, the voltage of the capacitor 15 isabout 3 times higher than the voltage of the DC power supply 2.Accordingly, since the voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16 is the same as avoltage obtained by serially adding the voltages of the capacitors 15and 14, the voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16 is obtained to be about 5times higher than the voltage of the DC power supply 2.

In this case, withstand voltages for the diode 111 and the semiconductorswitch element 112 constituting the first arm pair 11 are supplied fromthe capacitor 14 that is less than or equal to about a half of thevoltage V₂ of the capacitor 16, e.g., the output voltage of the DCboosting circuit 1D.

As described above, the DC boosting circuit 1D according to the presentexemplary embodiment serves to boost the voltage of the DC power supply2, by switching of the switch element 112_1, in order to generate aboosted output voltage.

The DC boosting circuit 1D includes the first arm pair 11, the reactor13D, the capacitor 14, the second arm pair 12, and the capacitor 15. Thefirst arm pair 11 includes the switch element 112_1 and the diode 111de-serially connected to one end of the switch element 112_1. Thereactor 13 has one end connected to the node of the first arm pair 11and another end connected to the DC power supply 2.

The capacitor 14 is connected in parallel to the first arm pair 11. Thesecond arm pair 12 includes a series circuit of the diode 121 and thediode 122 connected in series to one end of the first arm pair 11. Thecapacitor 15 is interposed between the node of the first arm pair 11 andthe node of the second arm pair 12.

The reactor 13D includes the reactor 130D and the reactor 131D. Thereactor 13D includes the reactor 130D and the reactor 131D that sharethe same iron core therethrough. Accordingly, a voltage applied to thefirst arm pair 11 and the second arm pair 12 may be determined as thevoltage V₂ of the capacitor 16 that is lower than the output voltage ofthe DC boosting circuit 1D.

Therefore, it may be advantageous that the load of a semiconductor(e.g., a switch element, a diode, or the like) is reduced, and anelement having a low current capacity and a low withstand voltage may beemployed. As a result, downsizing, weight saving, and cost reducing of adevice having a high boosting ratio may be achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of a FET increases exponentially as its withstand voltageincreases. Thus, power consumption of a FET itself increases as itswithstand voltage increases. Accordingly, a leakage current of a DCboosting circuit is limited. Therefore, in the present exemplaryembodiment, a semiconductor switch element having low ON resistance maybe employed.

Further, by action of the reactor 13D, the DC boosting circuit 1Daccording to the present exemplary embodiment may suppress an inrushcurrent occurring when the capacitor 15 is charged by accumulated energyof the capacitor 14, and may prevent a reverse recovery operation of thediode 122.

Further, since the DC boosting circuit 1D according to the presentexemplary embodiment employs the reactor 13D including the reactor 130Dand the reactor 131D that share the same iron core therethrough, moredownsizing and weight saving, higher efficiency, and more cost reducingmay be achieved compared to one or more previous exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit 1E whichincludes switch elements individually connected in parallel to each ofthe diodes 111, 121, and 122 of the one or more previous embodiments. Asshown in FIG. 8, the DC boosting circuit 1E is connected in parallelbetween the DC power supply 2 and load 3.

The DC boosting circuit 1E includes the first arm pair 21, the secondarm pair 22, the reactor 13, and the capacitors 14, 15, and 16. Thefirst arm pair 21 includes semiconductor switch elements 112 and 211.The semiconductor switch element 211 includes a switch element 211_1 andthe diode 111. The switch element 211_1, for example, may be a bipolartransistor, a MOSFET, an IGBT, or the like.

The switch element 211_1 is connected in parallel to the diode 111. Theswitch element 211_1 is connected at the other end thereof to one end ofthe switch element 112_1 and the cathode of the diode 112_2. When theswitch element 211_1 is an n-type MOSFET, the other end of the switchelement 211_1 is a source-side terminal. In this case, one end of theswitch element 211_1 is a drain-side terminal. One end of the switchelement 211_1 is connected to a second arm pair 22.

The second arm pair 22 includes a semiconductor switch element 221 and asemiconductor switch element 222. The semiconductor switch element 221includes a switch element 221_1 and the diode 121. The semiconductorswitch element 222 includes a switch element 222_1 and the diode 122.For example, the switch element 221_1 and the switch element 222_1 mayeach be a bipolar transistor, a MOSFET, an IGBT, or the like. The switchelement 221_1 is connected in parallel to the diode 121.

The switch element 221_1 has one end connected to one end of thecapacitor 16 and has another end connected to one end of the switchelement 222_1 and the cathode of the diode 122. For example, one end mayserve as a drain terminal, the other end may serve as a source terminal,and a control terminal may serve as a gate terminal.

The switch element 222_1 is connected in parallel to the diode 122. Theswitch element 222_1 has one end connected to the other end of theswitch element 221_1 and another end connected to one end of the switchelement 211_1 and the cathode of the diode 111. For example, one end mayserve as a drain terminal, the other end may serve as a source terminal,and a control terminal may serve as a gate terminal.

The reactor 13 has one end connected to the positive terminal of the DCpower supply 2 and another end connected to the node of the first armpair 21. The node of the first arm pair 21 is a node of thesemiconductor switch elements 211 and 112.

The capacitor 15 has one end connected to the node of the second armpair 22 and another end connected to the node of the first arm pair 21.The node of the second arm pair 22 is a node of the semiconductor switchelements 221 and 222.

The capacitor 16 is connected in parallel to the load 3. The capacitor16 has one end connected to the cathode of the diode 121 and another endconnected to the other end of the switch element 112_1 and the negativeterminal of the DC power supply 2. A boosting operation of the DCboosting circuit 1E may be substantially the same as the boostingoperation of one or more of the previous exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an example of a regeneration operation of aDC boosting circuit. FIG. 9A illustrates a current path of the DCboosting circuit 1E when the switch element 221_1 and the switch element211_1 are in an ON state.

First, when the switch element 221_1 and the switch element 211_1 areturned on, a regenerative current from the load 3 flows along a path300E including the capacitor 16, the switch element 221_1, the capacitor15, the reactor 13, the DC power supply 2, and the capacitor 16.

Second, the regenerative current, except for a regenerated portion ofthe DC power supply 2, is mainly accumulated in the capacitor 15 and thereactor 13. In this case, since the switch element 211_1 is also in theON state, a current flows along a path 301E including the capacitor 14,the switch element 211_1, the reactor 13, the DC power supply 2, and thecapacitor 14 by the action of energy of the capacitor 14. Hence, theenergy of the capacitor 14 is transferred to the reactor 13 and the DCpower supply 2, so the voltage of the capacitor 14 is reduced and theenergy thereof also decreases.

FIG. 9B illustrates a current path of the DC boosting circuit 1E whenthe switch element 211_1 and the switch element 221_1 are in OFF states.The switch element 211_1 and the switch element 221_1 are turned off,and the switch element 222_1 and the switch element 112_1 are turned on.Accordingly, by action of the accumulated energy of the capacitor 15, acurrent flows along a path 302E including switch element 222_1, thecapacitor 14, the switch element 112_1, and the capacitor 15. Thus, thecapacitor 14 is charged by the accumulated energy of the capacitor 15,so the voltage thereof is recovered.

Further, by action of the accumulated energy of the reactor 13, acurrent flows along a path 303E including the DC power supply 2, theswitch element 112_1, and the reactor 13, and the accumulated energy ofthe reactor 13 is regenerated to the DC power supply 2.

A current may be regenerated, from the load 3 having a high voltage tothe DC power supply 2 having a low voltage, by repeating ON and OFFstates of the switch element 221_1 and the switch element 211_1, and theswitch element 222_1 and the switch element 112_1, with a predeterminedconductance.

As described above, the DC boosting circuit 1E according to the presentexemplary embodiment serves to boost the voltage of the DC power supply2, by switching of the switch element 112_1, in order to generate aboosted output voltage.

The DC boosting circuit 1E includes the first arm pair 21, the reactor13, the capacitor 14, the second arm pair 22, and the capacitor 15. Thefirst arm pair 21 includes the semiconductor switch elements 112 and211. The reactor 13 has one end connected to the node of the first armpair 21 and another connected to the DC power supply 2. The capacitor 14is connected in parallel to the first arm pair 21.

The second arm pair 22 includes a series circuit of the semiconductorswitch element 221 and the semiconductor switch element 222 connected inseries to one end of the first arm pair 21. The capacitor 15 isinterposed between the node of the first arm pair 21 and the node of thesecond arm pair 22. Accordingly, approved voltages of the first arm pair21 and the second arm pair 22 may be determined as the voltage V₂ of thecapacitor 16 that is lower than an output voltage of the DC boostingcircuit 1E.

Therefore, it may be advantageous that the load of a semiconductor(e.g., a switch element, a diode, or the like) is reduced, and anelement having a low current capacity and a low withstand voltage may beemployed. As a result, downsizing, weight saving, and cost reducing of adevice having a high boosting ratio may be achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of a FET increases exponentially as its withstand voltageincreases. Thus, power consumption of the FET increases as its withstandvoltage increases. Accordingly, a leakage current of a DC boostingcircuit is limited. Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, asemiconductor switch element having a low ON resistance may be employed.

Further, as described above, by repeating ON and OFF states of theswitch element 221_1 and the switch element 211_1, and the switchelement 222_1 and the switch element 112_1, with a predeterminedconductance, the DC boosting circuit 1E may regenerate a current fromthe load 3 having a high voltage to the DC power supply 2 having a lowvoltage.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit 1F whichincludes the first arm pair 21, the second arm pair 22, the reactor 13,the capacitors 14, 15, and 16, and the reactor 17. The reactor 17 isinterposed between the other end of the capacitor 15 and the node of thefirst arm pair 21. For example, the reactor 17 has one end connected toone end of the reactor 13 and another end connected to the other end ofthe capacitor 15.

A boosting operation of the DC boosting circuit 1F may be substantiallythe same as one or more previous embodiments, and a regenerativeoperation of the DC boosting circuit 1F may be substantially the same asone or more of the previous embodiments. For example, as describedabove, the DC boosting circuit 1F according to the present exemplaryembodiment serves to boost the voltage of the DC power supply 2, byswitching of the switch element 112_1, in order to generate a boostedoutput voltage.

The DC boosting circuit 1F includes the first arm pair 21, the reactor13, the capacitor 14, the second arm pair 22, the capacitor 15, and thereactor 17. The first arm pair 21 includes the semiconductor switchelements 112 and 211. The reactor 13 has one end connected to the nodeof the first arm pair 21 and another end connected to the DC powersupply 2. The capacitor 14 is connected in parallel to the first armpair 21.

The second arm pair 22 includes a series circuit of the semiconductorswitch element 221 and the semiconductor switch element 222 connected inseries to one end of the first arm pair 21. The capacitor 15 isinterposed between the node of the first arm pair 21 and the node of thesecond arm pair 22. The reactor 17 has one end connected to the otherend of the capacitor 15 and another end connected to the node of thefirst arm pair 21.

Hence, a voltage applied to the first arm pair 21 and the second armpair 22 may be determined as the voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16 that islower than an output voltage of the DC boosting circuit 1F. Therefore,it may be advantageous that the load of a semiconductor (e.g., a switchelement, a diode, or the like) is reduced, and an element having a lowcurrent capacity and a low withstand voltage may be employed. As aresult, downsizing, weight saving, and cost reducing of a device havinga high boosting ratio may be achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, ONresistance of a FET increases exponentially as its withstand voltageincreases. Thus, power consumption of the FET increases as its withstandvoltage increases. Accordingly, a leakage current of a DC boostingcircuit is limited. Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, asemiconductor switch element having a low ON resistance may be employed.

Further, by action of the reactor 17, the DC boosting circuit 1Faccording to the present exemplary embodiment may suppress an inrushcurrent occurring when the capacitor 15 is charged by accumulated energyof the capacitor 14, and may prevent a reverse recovery operation of thediode 122.

Further, by repeating ON and OFF states of the switch element 221_1 andthe switch element 211_1, and the switch element 222_1 and the switchelement 112_1, with a predetermined conductance, the DC boosting circuit1F according to the present exemplary embodiment may regenerate acurrent from the load 3 having a high voltage to the DC power supply 2having a low voltage.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit 1G whichincludes switch elements individually connected in parallel to each ofthe diodes 111, 121, and 122 one or more previous embodiments. The DCboosting circuit 1G includes the first arm pair 21, the second arm pair22, the reactor 13, the capacitors 14, 15, and 16, and the reactor 17.The reactor 17 is interposed between the node of the semiconductorswitch elements 222 and 211 and one end of the capacitor 14.

A boosting operation of the DC boosting circuit 1G may be substantiallythe same as one or more previous embodiments. Further, a regenerativeoperation of the DC boosting circuit 1G may be substantially the same asone or more previous embodiments.

As described above, the DC boosting circuit 1G according to the presentexemplary embodiment serves to boost the voltage of the DC power supply2, by switching of the switch element 112_1, in order to generate aboosted output voltage.

The DC boosting circuit 1G includes the first arm pair 21, the reactor13, the capacitor 14, the second arm pair 22, the capacitor 15, and thereactor 17. The first arm pair 21 includes the semiconductor switchelements 112 and 211. The reactor 13 has one end connected to the nodeof the first arm pair 21 and another end connected to the DC powersupply 2. The capacitor 14 is connected in parallel to the first armpair 21.

The second arm pair 22 includes a series circuit of the semiconductorswitch element 221 and the semiconductor switch element 222 connected inseries to one end of the first arm pair 21. The capacitor 15 isinterposed between the node of the first arm pair 21 and the node of thesecond arm pair 22. The reactor 17 has one end connected to the anode ofthe diode 122 and at another end connected to the cathode of the diode111 and the capacitor 14.

Accordingly, a voltage applied to the first arm pair 21 and the secondarm pair 22 may be determined as the voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16,that is lower than an output voltage of the DC boosting circuit 1G.Therefore, it may be advantageous that the load of a semiconductor(e.g., a switch element, a diode, or the like) is reduced, and anelement having a low current capacity and a low withstand voltage may beemployed. As a result, downsizing, weight saving, and cost reducing of adevice having a high boosting ratio may be achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of a FET increases exponentially as its withstand voltageincreases. Thus, power consumption of the FET increases as its withstandvoltage increases. Accordingly, a leakage current of a DC boostingcircuit is limited. Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, asemiconductor switch element having a low ON resistance may be employed.

Further, by action of the reactor 17, the DC boosting circuit 1Gaccording to the present exemplary embodiment may suppress an inrushcurrent occurring when the capacitor 15 is charged by an accumulatedenergy of the capacitor 14, and may prevent a reverse recovery operationof the diode 122.

Further, by repeating ON and OFF states of the switch element 221_1 andthe switch element 211_1, and the switch element 222_1 and the switchelement 112_1, with a predetermined conductance, the DC boosting circuit1G according to the present exemplary embodiment may regenerate acurrent from the load 3 having a high voltage to the DC power supply 2having a low voltage.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit 1H whichincludes two DC boosting circuits 1 and a capacitor 140. As shown inFIG. 12, the DC boosting circuit 1H is connected in parallel between theDC power supply 2 and the load 3. The DC boosting circuit 1H has aconfiguration employing an interleaving mode to reduce a ripple currentof a voltage applied to the load 3 (e.g., the boosted voltage V₂) andameliorate a corresponding loss.

The DC boosting circuit 1H includes boosting parts 10 and 10 a and thecapacitors 140 and 16. The boosting part 10 is connected in parallelbetween the DC power supply 2 and the load 3. The boosting part 10includes the first arm pair 11, the second arm pair 12, the reactor 13,and the capacitor 15.

The boosting part 10 a is connected in parallel between the DC powersupply 2 and the load 3. Further, the boosting part 10 a is connected inparallel to the boosting part 10. The boosting part 10 a includes afirst arm pair 11 a, a second arm pair 12 a, a reactor 13 a, and acapacitor 15 a. The boosting part 10 a may have the same configurationas the boosting part 10.

The capacitor 140 is connected in parallel between the boosting part 10and the boosting part 10 a. For example, the capacitor 140 has one endconnected to the cathodes of diodes 111 and 111 a and another connectedto the other ends of the switch elements 112_1 and 112 a_1. When aplurality of DC boosting circuits 1 are used, the DC boosting circuit 1Hmay integrally employ one capacitor 140 to perform the roles of aplurality of the capacitors 14.

An example of the boosting operation of the DC boosting circuit 1H willnow be described. The boosting operation of the DC boosting circuit 1Hexecutes an interleaving operation for shifting a phase of an ON or OFFstate of switch elements 112_1 and 112 a_1. Accordingly, during aswitching period of the DC boosting circuit 1H, the boosted voltage ofthe boosting part 10 and the boosted voltage of the boosting part 10 aare alternately applied to the load 3. For example, a frequency of thedetected ripple current is doubled with respect to the switchingfrequency of the DC boosting circuit 1H, and the ripple currentdecreases. The boosting operation of each of the boosting parts 10 and10 a of the DC boosting circuit 1H may be substantially the same as oneor more previous embodiments.

As described above, the DC boosting circuit 1H according to the presentexemplary embodiment includes a plurality of DC boosting circuits andthe capacitor 140 integrally serving as the respective capacitors 14thereof. The DC boosting circuit 1H executes each DC boosting circuit inthe interleaving mode. Accordingly, a voltage applied to the first armpair and the second arm pair may be determined as the voltage V₂ of thecapacitor 16, that is lower than an output voltage of the DC boostingcircuit 1H. Therefore, it may be advantageous that the load of asemiconductor (e.g., a switch element, a diode, or the like) is reduced,and an element having a low current capacity and a low withstand voltagemay be employed. As a result, downsizing, weight saving, and costreducing of a device having a high boosting ratio may be achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of the FET increases exponentially as its withstandvoltage increases. Thus, power consumption of the FET increases as itswithstand voltage increases. Accordingly, a leakage current of a DCboosting circuit is limited. Therefore, in the present exemplaryembodiment, a semiconductor switch element having a low ON resistancemay be employed.

Further, when executing the interleaving operation with a plurality ofthe DC boosting circuits, the DC boosting circuit 1H according to thepresent exemplary embodiment employs the capacitor 140 integrallyserving as the capacitors 14 of the respective DC boosting circuits. Asa result, further downsizing and cost reducing may be achieved.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit 1I whichincludes two DC boosting circuits 1A according to a previous embodimentand one capacitor 140 integrating roles of each capacitor 14 of the twoDC boosting circuits 1A.

As shown in FIG. 13, the DC boosting circuit 1I is connected in parallelbetween the DC power supply 2 and the load 3. The DC boosting circuit 1Ihas a configuration employing an interleaving mode to reduce a ripplecurrent of a voltage applied to the load 3, i.e., the boosted voltageV₂, and ameliorate a corresponding loss.

The DC boosting circuit 1I includes boosting parts 10I and 10Ia and thecapacitors 140 and 16. The boosting part 10I is connected in parallelbetween the DC power supply 2 and the load 3. The boosting part 10Iincludes the first arm pair 11, the second arm pair 12, the reactor 13,the capacitor 15, and the reactor 17.

The boosting part 10Ia is connected in parallel between the DC powersupply 2 and the load 3. Further, the boosting part 10Ia is connected inparallel to the boosting part 10I. The boosting part 10Ia includes thefirst arm pair 11 a, the second arm pair 12 a, the reactor 13 a, thecapacitor 15 a, and a reactor 17 a. The boosting part 10Ia may have thesame configuration as the boosting part 10I.

An example of a boosting operation of the DC boosting circuit 1Iaccording to the present exemplary embodiment will now be described. Theboosting operation of the DC boosting circuit 1I executes aninterleaving operation for shifting a phase of ON or OFF states of theswitch elements 112_1 and 112 a_1. Accordingly, during a switchingperiod of the DC boosting circuit 1I, the boosted voltage of theboosting part 10I and the boosted voltage of the boosting part 10Ia arealternately applied to the load 3. For example, the frequency of thedetected ripple current may be doubled with respect to the switchingfrequency of the DC boosting circuit 1I, and the ripple currentdecreases.

A boosting operation of each of the boosting parts 10I and 10Ia of theDC boosting circuit 1I may be substantially the same as one or moreprevious embodiments.

As described above, the DC boosting circuit 1I according to the presentexemplary embodiment includes a plurality of DC boosting circuitsaccording to a previous embodiment and the capacitor 140 integrallyserving as the respective capacitors 14 thereof.

The DC boosting circuit 1I according to the present exemplary embodimentexecutes each DC boosting circuit in the interleaving mode. Accordingly,voltages applied to the first arm pair and the second arm pair may bedetermined as the voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16, that is lower than anoutput voltage of the DC boosting circuit 1I. Therefore, it may beadvantageous that the load of a semiconductor (e.g., a switch element, adiode, or the like) is reduced, and an element having a low currentcapacity and a low withstand voltage may be employed. Therefore,downsizing, weight saving, and cost reducing of a device having a highboosting ratio may be achieved.

Further, when the FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of a FET increases exponentially as its withstand voltageincreases. Thus, as the withstand voltage increases, power consumptionof the FET problematically increases. Therefore, in the presentexemplary embodiment, it is advantageous that a semiconductor switchelement having a low ON resistance is employed.

Further, when executing the interleaving operation with a plurality ofthe DC boosting circuits, the DC boosting circuit 1I according to thepresent exemplary embodiment employs the capacitor 140 integrallyserving as the respective capacitors 14 thereof. As a result, a furtherdownsizing and cost reduction may be achieved.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of a DC boosting circuit 1J whichincludes two DC boosting circuits 1B. The capacitors 14 of each DCboosting circuit 1B are substituted for one capacitor 140, and thereactors 17 of each DC boosting circuit 1B are substituted for onereactor 170.

As shown in FIG. 14, the DC boosting circuit 1J is connected in parallelbetween the DC power supply 2 and the load 3. The DC boosting circuit IThas a configuration employing an interleaving mode to reduce a ripplecurrent of a voltage applied to the load 3 (e.g., the boosted voltageV₂) and ameliorate a corresponding loss.

The DC boosting circuit 1J includes boosting parts 10J and 10Ja, thecapacitor 140, the reactor 170, and the capacitor 16. The boosting part10J is connected in parallel between the DC power supply 2 and the load3. The boosting part 10J includes the first arm pair 11, the second armpair 12, the reactor 13, and the capacitor 15.

The boosting part 10Ja is connected in parallel between the DC powersupply 2 and the load 3. Further, the boosting part 10Ja is connected inparallel to the boosting part 10J. The boosting part 10Ja includes thefirst arm pair 11 a, the second arm pair 12 a, the reactor 13 a, and thecapacitor 15 a. The boosting part 10Ja may have the same configurationas that of the boosting part 10J.

The reactor 170 is connected in parallel between the boosting parts 10Jand 10Ja. For example, the reactor 170 has one end connected to theanodes of diodes 122 and 122 a and another end connected to the cathodesof the diodes 111 and 111 a.

Hence, when a plurality of DC boosting circuits 1B are used, the DCboosting circuit 1J may use one capacitor 140 integrally for performingthe roles of a plurality of the capacitors 14. Further, roles of aplurality of the reactors 17 may be served integrally by one rector 170.

An example of a boosting operation of the DC boosting circuit 1Jaccording to the present exemplary embodiment will now be described. Theboosting operation of the DC boosting circuit 1J executes aninterleaving operation for shifting a phase of an ON or OFF state of theswitch elements 112_1 and 112 a_1.

Accordingly, during a switching period of the DC boosting circuit 1J,the boosted voltage of the boosting part 10J and the boosted voltage ofthe boosting part 10Ja are alternately applied to the load 3. Forexample, the frequency of the detected ripple current is doubled withrespect to the switching frequency of the DC boosting circuit 1J, andthe ripple current decreases. A boosting operation of each of theboosting parts 10J and 10Ja of the DC boosting circuit 1J may besubstantially the same as one or more previous embodiments.

As described above, the DC boosting circuit 1J according to the presentexemplary embodiment includes a plurality of the DC boosting circuitsand the capacitor 140 jointly serving as each capacitor 14 thereof.

Further, the DC boosting circuit 1J according to the present exemplaryembodiment includes the reactor 170 integrally serving as the reactor 17of the respective DC boosting circuits.

The DC boosting circuit 1J according to the present exemplary embodimentexecutes each DC boosting circuit in the interleaving mode. Accordingly,a voltage applied to the first arm pair and the second arm pair may bedetermined as the voltage V₂ of the capacitor 16, that is lower than anoutput voltage of the DC boosting circuit 1J. Therefore, it may beadvantageous that the load of a semiconductor (e.g., a switch element, adiode, or the like) is reduced, and an element having a low currentcapacity and a low withstand voltage may be employed. As a result,downsizing, weight saving, and cost reducing of a device having a highboosting ratio may be achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of a FET increases exponentially as its withstand voltageincreases. Thus, since power consumption of the FET increases as itswithstand voltage increases, a leakage current of a DC boosting circuitis limited. Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, asemiconductor switch element having low ON resistance may be employed.

Further, when executing the interleaving operation with a plurality ofthe DC boosting circuits, the DC boosting circuit 1J according to thepresent exemplary embodiment employs the capacitor 140 and the reactor140 integrally serving as the capacitor 14 and the reactor 17 of therespective DC boosting circuits. As a result, more downsizing and costreduction may be achieved.

FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of a DC boosting circuit 1K whichincludes two DC boosting circuits 1C according to a previous embodiment,one capacitor 140 integrating roles of each capacitor 14 of the two DCboosting circuits 1C, and one reactor 170 integrating roles of eachreactor 17 of the two DC boosting circuits 1C.

As shown in FIG. 15, the DC boosting circuit 1K is connected in parallelbetween the DC power supply 2 and the load 3. The DC boosting circuit 1Khas a configuration employing an interleaving mode to reduce a ripplecurrent of a voltage applied to the load 3 (e.g., the boosted voltageV₂) and ameliorate a corresponding loss.

The DC boosting circuit 1K includes boosting parts 10K and 10Ka, thecapacitor 140, the reactor 170, and the capacitor 16. The boosting part10K is connected in parallel between the DC power supply 2 and the load3. The boosting part 10K includes the first arm pair 11, the second armpair 12, the reactor 13, and the capacitor 15.

The boosting part 10Ka is connected in parallel between the DC powersupply 2 and the load 3. Further, the boosting part 10Ka is connected inparallel to the boosting part 10K. The boosting part 10Ka includes thefirst arm pair 11 a, the second arm pair 12 a, the reactor 13 a, and thecapacitor 15 a. The boosting part 10Ka may have the same configurationas the boosting part 10K.

The reactor 170 is connected in parallel between the boosting parts 10Kand 10Ka. For example, the reactor 170 has one end connected to theanodes of the diodes 122 and 122 a and another end connected to one endof the capacitor 140.

Hence, when a plurality of DC boosting circuits 1C are used, the DCboosting circuit 1K may use one capacitor 140 integrally for roles of aplurality of the capacitors 14. Further, roles of a plurality of thereactors 17 are served jointly by one reactor 170.

An example of a boosting operation of the DC boosting circuit 1Kaccording to the present exemplary embodiment will now be described. Theboosting operation of the DC boosting circuit 1K executes aninterleaving operation for shifting a phase of an ON or OFF state of theswitch elements 112_1 and 112 a_1. Accordingly, during a switchingperiod of the DC boosting circuit 1K, the boosted voltage of theboosting part 10K and the boosted voltage of the boosting part 10Ka arealternately applied to the load 3. For example, the frequency of thedetected ripple current may be doubled with respect to the switchingfrequency of the DC boosting circuit 1K and the ripple currentdecreases. A boosting operation of each of the boosting parts 10K and10Ka of the DC boosting circuit 1K may be substantially the same as aprevious embodiment.

As described above, the DC boosting circuit 1K according to the presentexemplary embodiment includes a plurality of the DC boosting circuitsaccording to a previous embodiment and the capacitor 140 jointly servingas each capacitor 14 thereof.

Further, the DC boosting circuit 1K according to the present exemplaryembodiment includes the reactor 170 integrally serving as the reactor 17of the respective DC boosting circuits. Then, the DC boosting circuit 1Kaccording to the present exemplary embodiment executes each DC boostingcircuit in the interleaving mode. Accordingly, a voltage applied to thefirst arm pair and the second arm pair may be determined as the voltageV₂ of the capacitor 16, that is lower than an output voltage of the DCboosting circuit 1K. Therefore, it may be advantageous that the load ofa semiconductor (e.g., a switch element, a diode, or the like) isreduced, and an element having a low current capacity and a lowwithstand voltage may be employed. As a result, downsizing, weightsaving, and cost reducing of a device having a high boosting ratio maybe achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of a FET increases exponentially as its withstand voltageincreases. Thus, since power consumption of the FET increases as itswithstand voltage increases, a leakage current of a DC boosting circuitis limited. Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, asemiconductor switch element having a low ON resistance may be employed.

Further, when executing the interleaving operation with a plurality ofthe DC boosting circuits, the DC boosting circuit 1K according to thepresent exemplary embodiment employs the capacitor 140 and the reactor140 integrally serving as the capacitor 14 and the reactor 17 of therespective DC boosting circuits. As a result, more downsizing and costreduction may be achieved.

By way of summation and review, one type of DC boosting circuit (calleda boosting chopper circuit) includes a switching element, a diode, and areactor. An example of such a circuit is illustrated in FIG. 16.

Referring to FIG. 16, the DC boosting circuit 900 includes a DC powersupply 910, a reactor 920, an arm pair 930, a capacitor 940, and a load950. The arm pair 930 includes a diode D2 and a semiconductor switchelement (e.g., MOSFET) T2. The reactor 920 is connected between a nodeof the diode D2 and the semiconductor switch element T2, and a positiveterminal of the DC power supply 910. A negative terminal of the DC powersupply 910 is connected to an outer terminal (source of MOSFET) of thearm pair 930. Further, the capacitor 940 and the load 950 are connectedin parallel to opposite ends of the arm pair 930.

When the switch element T2 is in an ON state, the DC boosting circuit900 has a current path including the DC power supply 910, the reactor920, the switch element T2, and the DC power supply 910, and energy isaccumulated in the reactor 920.

When the switch element T2 is turned off, a current flowing in theswitch element T2 flows along a path including the diode D2 and thecapacitor 940. Due to the accumulated energy of the reactor 920, thecapacitor 940 is charged to a voltage that is higher than the voltage ofthe DC power supply 910.

Accordingly, by repeating ON and OFF states of the switch element T2,the DC boosting circuit 900 boosts a voltage and supplies the boostedvoltage that is higher than the voltage of the DC power supply 910 tothe load 950.

A relationship between a voltage V_(i) and a current I_(i) of the DCpower supply 910, and a voltage V₀ and a current I₀ supplied to the load950, assuming that the DC boosting circuit 900 is ideal, satisfies arelationship of V_(i)*I_(i)=V₀*I₀ (=transformed electric power).Alternatively, the relationship may be presented by V_(i):V₀=I₀:I_(i).Therefore, in the case of a high boosting ratio V₀/V_(i), the voltage V₀and the current I_(i) are high, the transformed electric power remainsconstant.

As a result, the switch element T2 and the diode D2 need to be designedto correspond to a high-voltage current capacity (electric power) with ahigh boosting ratio. Therefore, when physically implementing the device,problems of increasing size and raising cost are inevitable.

In accordance with one or more of the aforementioned embodiments, theload of a semiconductor (e.g., a switch element, a diode, or the like)is reduced and an element having a low current capacity and a lowwithstand voltage may be employed. As a result, downsizing, weightsaving, and cost reducing of a device having a high boosting ratio maybe achieved.

Further, when a FET is employed as a semiconductor switch element, theON resistance of the FET increases exponentially as its withstandvoltage increases. Thus, power consumption of the FET increases as itswithstand voltage increases. Accordingly, leakage current of the DCboosting circuit is limited. Therefore, in the present exemplaryembodiment, a semiconductor switch element having a low ON resistancemay be employed.

Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specificterms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In someinstances, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art as of thefiling of the present application, features, characteristics, and/orelements described in connection with a particular embodiment may beused singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/orelements described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwiseindicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of skill in theart that various changes in form and details may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A DC boosting circuit, comprising: a first switchhaving a first end connected to a first node; a first diode has a firstend connected to the first node and a second end connected to a secondnode; a first reactor having a first end connected to the first node anda second end connected to a DC power supply; a first capacitor having afirst end connected to a second end of the first switch and a second endconnected to the second node; a second diode having a first endconnected to the second node and a second end connected to a third node;a third diode having a first end connected to the third node and asecond end connected to an output terminal to output a boosted voltageof the DC power supply; a second capacitor having a first end connectedto the first node and a second end connected to the third node, andwherein the second capacitor has a same electrical potential as thefirst capacitor when the first switch is turned on, wherein the thirddiode is connected between the second node and the output terminal. 2.The circuit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a second switchconnected in parallel to the first diode; a third switch connected inparallel to the second diode; and a fourth switch connected in parallelto the third diode.
 3. The circuit as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising: a second reactor between the first end of the first reactorand the first end of the second capacitor.
 4. The circuit as claimed inclaim 3, further comprising: a plurality of DC boosting circuits thatshare the first capacitor and the second reactor.
 5. The circuit asclaimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second reactors are woundaround a same iron core.
 6. The circuit as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of DC boosting circuits that share the firstcapacitor.
 7. The circuit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the DC boostingcircuits are to be operated in an interleaving mode.
 8. A boostingcircuit, comprising: a first circuit including a first element and asecond element; a second circuit including the first element and a thirdelement; and a switch connected to the first circuit and the secondcircuit, wherein the first element and the second element are to storeenergy based on an input voltage when the switch is in a first state,and the third element is to store energy from the second element whenthe switch is in a second state, wherein the second circuit is to outputa voltage greater than the input voltage, and wherein each of the firstelement, the second element, and the third element is a reactor or acapacitor, and wherein the third element has a same electrical potentialas the second element when the switch is in the second state, whereinthe first state is an off state of the switch and the second state is anon state of the switch.
 9. The circuit as claimed in claim 8, furthercomprising: a fourth element in the second circuit, wherein the fourthelement is to store energy from the first element when the switch is inthe first state and wherein the fourth element is a capacitor orreactor.
 10. The circuit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fourthelement is to store energy from the second element when the switch is inthe second state and is to store energy from the first element when theswitch is in the first state.
 11. The circuit as claimed in claim 10,wherein the fourth element is to store energy along a path whichincludes the second element and the third element when the switch is inthe second state.
 12. The circuit as claimed in claim 11, wherein thethird element is to store energy from the second element when the switchis in the second state.
 13. The circuit as claimed in claim 8, whereinthe voltage to be output from the second circuit is based on a sum ofthe energy from the first element and the energy from the third element.14. The circuit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the switch is connectedto the first element, the second element, and the fourth element.